Given Excon's overarching theme, " Building India's Tomorrow – Technology, Globalization, Sustainability, Inclusiveness", kindly share your strategies and initiatives in the following areas:
Innovating
and introducing products that can compete in global markets
Towards the end of 2022,
India overtook the UK and France, becoming the third largest in Asia-Pacific
and fifth globally. Given the pace of government reforms and the ongoing
development, S&P Global Market Intelligence predicts India's GDP will reach
$7.3 trillion by 2030. This growth positions India as a key market for various
industries in the next decade, especially with its focus on infrastructure
development. Rapid infrastructure development demands swift project execution,
fuelling the need for advanced, eco-friendly construction and mining
technologies that ensure quality and speed.
Komatsu and L&T
Construction & Mining Machinery prioritise delivering top-notch products
using the latest technologies. Over time, by understanding customer needs,
we've developed a diverse product range. We consistently roll out advanced
models, such as electric hydraulic excavators, biodiesel-fuelled equipment, and
standard ones. These machines adhere to global standards, emphasising safety
and operator comfort. At Bauma Conexpo, held early this year, we displayed a
30-ton Hybrid Hydraulic Excavator with reduced fuel consumption. At EXCON 2023,
we'll present a 20-ton Hybrid model, new attachments for industries like car
scrapping, and robust Hydraulic Excavators in 8-ton and 13-ton classes.
L&T will display its
indigenous Road Machinery, Vibratory Compactors, Wheel Loaders, Skid Steer
Loaders, and Pneumatic Tyred Rollers. These machines are compatible with the
soon-to-be-implemented CEV-5 engine emission norms. Produced under the
"Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, these high-quality machines promise
an outstanding user experience.
Adopting
technologies and sustainability in equipmentÂ
L&T has always espoused
and introduced Sustainable Technologies. In collaboration with Komatsu, we've
planned to showcase products that are at the frontiers of cutting-edge
technologies. Komatsu recently launched a new generation of excavators,
embodying our shared dedication to innovation and eco-friendly operations.
These machines come with specialised engines, advanced hydraulics, and the
upgraded KOMTRAX system. They feature the ecot3 engine technology, which
ensures efficient fuel consumption and maximum productivity. Their engines are
optimised to maximise power output, ensuring every drop of fuel is used
productively.
Komatsu's focus on
efficiency is further evident in their hydraulic systems. The unique HydrauMind
hydraulic system balances hydraulic and engine power, increasing fuel
efficiency.
The latest KOMTRAX version
offers web-based monitoring of Komatsu equipment, ensuring optimal control and
providing real-time insights into machine health and performance. This aids in
identifying training needs for operators and technicians.
Komatsu's technological
prowess shines through in the precise engineering of hydraulic components and
hydraulic filters. Designed and manufactured specifically for each machine,
these components ensure best-in-class performance with unmatched reliability
and durability. A superior hydraulic system coupled with a specially designed
Hydraulic filter with nano fibre technology allows for an industry-leading oil
change interval of 5,000 hours and a filter change interval of 2500 hours,
further reducing maintenance costs.
Addressing specific
operational challenges, Komatsu has developed customised undercarriages. These
include a robust and rugged design with an Abrasive Impact-Resistant (AIR)
Bushing tailored for tough underfoot conditions in applications such as stone
quarry, granite, and marble. These innovations enhance durability and
cost-efficiency.
The upcoming exhibition
will spotlight smart construction and feature virtual and augmented reality
simulators, giving customers a tangible feel of our advanced machines in
real-world conditions.
You are making your
products safer and more reliable to build end-user trust.
We at L&T Construction
& Mining Machinery have a rich legacy of making available essential
equipment for nation-building. Always leading in innovative and safe
engineering design, we've established global partnerships and ensure our
products meet international Quality, Safety, and Reliability benchmarks.
Our network of 30 dealers,
115 touchpoints, and 27 territory offices of L&T's Domestic Marketing
Network is strategically located to reach most project sites within two hours
to cater to more than 35,000 construction equipment in the field.
A first in the industry,
the comprehensive machine care programmes – Suraksha 10,000 and Viswas enable
continuous machine health monitoring and extended powertrain warranty,
supported by a team of trained and experienced engineers equipped with
digitally enabled service platforms to deliver proactive, on-time service to
Customers across the country increase machine uptime and offers true peace of
mind.
With the implementation of
Swift Service 360, we have immensely improved after-sales support in India
through a digital platform that streamlines service delivery, improves response
times, and offers consistent quality nationwide.
Given
the increasing demand for advanced equipment and machinery, how do you intend
to enhance your equipment's productivity, efficiency, and sustainability at
construction sites? Please consider the following aspects in your response:
• Training and upskilling of equipment
operators.
At L&T, one of India's
premier engineering conglomerates, we offer training programs, deliver
knowledge, and oversee the training process. Our dealer network liaises with
customers, operators, and mechanics while the IESC certifies candidates after
they clear tests under independent assessors.
In FY23, 1,229 candidates
joined our training, with dealers coordinating 570 of these for equipment
operators and mechanics. Our training and certification approach ensures
industry standardisation and champions inclusivity and diversity by training
women in machine operations, commissioning, and maintenance. We use the latest
technology, including the latest simulators, virtual reality and hands-on
machine training, to ensure trainees receive the best in the industry. This
effort creates a formally recognised workforce, essential for meeting the
supply-demand gap for skilled personnel.
• Optimizing equipment utilisation
Given that India is the
fastest-growing major economy, our customers are constantly looking for
machines that offer higher productivity with maximum uptime so that machine
utilisation is very high. So that customers get maximum value from their
investment, we make sure machines offer Quality, Reliability, and Durability
through a strong after-market support network that helps customers derive the
maximum from every piece of equipment.Â
An extensive network of Dealers throughout the country supports this
network. Our Machine Care Programmes ensure that equipment are in good health
to deliver. In fact, the utilisation of Komatsu machines in India is an average
of 3,000 hours, while it is 1,800 hours for other countries.
We consistently optimise
our equipment as part of our commitment to deliver value. This longstanding
commitment drives our exceptional customer service and additional offerings. We
present a suite of services that boost customer productivity.
Komatsu's KOMTRAX system
leverages GPS and GPRS technologies for real-time monitoring of machine
performance and health, delivering instantaneous insights into machinery
efficiency and maintenance requirements. L&T engineers harness these
insights and energy-saving reports to focus on enhancing machine productivity
and efficiency. They ensure machines are used optimally through targeted
operator training, significantly reducing fuel consumption and improving
operational effectiveness. One of the key features of Komtrax is that it
detects abnormalities and cautions customers in time, thereby aiding
preventative maintenance, leading to cost reduction and increased uptime.
The Komatsu Oil Wear
Analysis Programme (KOWA), backed by Komatsu's extensive experience and
in-depth knowledge of design and component lifespan, facilitates continuous
monitoring of internal components of equipment. This strategic approach enables
timely maintenance proactive repair action, reducing maintenance costs
considerably while ensuring high operational uptime.
We monitor the key
parameters of each machine to provide a clear health report. Based on this
analysis, our L&T team suggests operational and maintenance steps to ensure
optimal performance. Our after-sales support routinely includes Machine Care
Programmes and Undercarriage Inspections.
• Undertaking remanufacturing and refurbishment
in line with circular economy principles.
We have developed the
expertise to repair and remanufacture to Komatsu's standards major machine
components. This has enabled us to offer a "Recon Exchange" scheme
designed to increase machine uptime for Customers. With this program, customers
can directly purchase major remanufactured components, eliminating the need to
wait for repairs on their existing components at almost half the price and a
warranty on key components. Our workshops maintain an inventory of key
components, including engines, hydraulics, and powertrains.
Additionally, we provide a
unique service where we purchase machines from our existing customers. After
acquiring these machines, we refurbish them using genuine parts, adhering
strictly to Komatsu's standards. Every refurbished machine comes with a warranty
of either six months or 1,000 hours, depending on which comes first. These
machines are then made available to our customers at a reduced cost, backed by
the assurance of both Komatsu and L&T.
